Himachal aims to double income of farmers by 2022
Shimla, July 1: Himachal Pradesh's BJP government has launched various schemes to enable the state's farmers to double their income by 2022, an official said on Sunday.
Three irrigation schemes -- Jal Se Krishi Ko Bal, Flow Irrigation Scheme and Solar Irrigation Scheme -- have been launched with sanctioned outlays of Rs 250 crore, Rs 150 crore and Rs 200 crore respectively for this purpose, a government spokesperson said.
Under the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Irrigation Scheme, new units of 111 minor irrigation schemes have been set up with a budgetary provision of Rs 338 crore. The first instalment of Rs 49 crore in the form of central assistance has already been received.
Simultaneously, a sum of Rs 277 crore has been set aside for the development of small irrigation schemes in the hill state.
The state has already sent a proposal entailing an expenditure of Rs 800 crore to the Central government to strengthen irrigation facilities and to repair old irrigation and drinking water sources.
The government has also reduced electricity tariff for irrigation from Re 1 per unit to 75 paise per unit, which will facilitate lakhs of farmers, said the spokesperson.
The Cabinet had approved guidelines for the implementation of the Prakritik Kheti-Khushaal Kisan scheme under which the income of farmers will increase through natural farming and a provision of Rs 25 crore has been made for its implementation.
This scheme will give a new direction to natural agriculture and farmers will get encouraged to reduce the use of chemical fertilisers. State agricultural universities will prepare a package of practices for implementation of the scheme.
The state has also taken a decision to bring more areas under fruit and vegetable production.
Currently, the Japan International Cooperation Agency has been providing assistance of Rs 321 crore to the state under a crop diversification project for enhancing the socio-economic conditions of farmers in Mandi, Kangra, Hamirpur, Bilaspur and Una districts.
Now, the second phase of this scheme will be implemented in all 12 districts at a cost of Rs 1,000 crore.
Himachal Pradesh is the only state where 89.96 per cent of its population lives in rural areas and dependence on agriculture and horticulture is much higher compared with other states.
There is a vast scope in agriculture and horticulture in the state, with 62 per cent people getting employment in the agriculture sector. About 10 per cent of the State Gross Domestic Product comes from agriculture and related sectors.
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India beat SA by 135 runs in 4th T20I, clinch series 3-1
Johannesburg, Nov 15: India beat South Africa by 135 runs in the fourth and final T20 International to clinch series 3-1 here on Friday.
Opting to bat, India posted a massive 283 for 1, thanks to unbeaten centuries from Tilak Varma (120 not out off 47 balls) and Sanju Samson (109 not out off 56 balls), and then bowled South Africa out for 148 in 18.2 overs.
Tristan Stubbs top-scored for South Africa with 46 while David Miller contributed 36.
For India, pacer Arshdeep Singh was the most successful bowler with figures of 3/20 while Varun Chakravarthy (2/42) and Axar Patel (2/6) got two wickets each.
Hardik Pandya, Ramandeep Singh and Ravi Bishnoi got a wicket each.
Brief Scores:
India: 283 for 1 in 20 overs (Sanju Samson 109 not out, Tilak Varma 120 not out; Lutho Sipamla 1/58).
South Africa: 148 all out in 18.2 overs (Tristan Stubbs 46, David Miller 36; Arshdeep Singh 3/20).
